USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > A history of the Laurel brigade, originally the Ashby cavalry of the Army of northern Virginia and Chew's battery > Part 22
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Rosser had been watching for an opportunity to try his fortune upon it. Some time before, as a preparatory step, he had sent two reliable scouts, John T. Pearce and James L. Williams, to spy out the land and bring him a map of the fortifications. Their reports encouraged the hope that a bold dash might succeed; and when he marched across the mountains, his plans were already matured. Notwith- standing its strong defenses were rather formidable, the place was thought of by Rosser as an object of attack-for he had planned a surprise.
Moving through Brock's Gap the column reached the vicinity of Moorefield about noon on the 27th. Halting his command at the fork, Rosser with a small force went ahead to Moorefield. Shortly after reaching there, he learned that a body of Federals with one piece of artillery Has at Old Fiells. With about seventy-five men taken from Captain McNeil's command of partisan rangers and from Company F of Seventh Virginia Cavalry, he moved in the direction of the enemy and soon encountered him at Parsons Ford.
Captain McNeil with his detachment was sent to pass around the enemy's flank and cut off his retreat through Reynolds' Gap. The movement was soon discovered by Lieutenant-Colonel Fleming, the Federal commander, and resisted. Before the rest of Rosser's men had gotten up, McNeil had beaten the enemy, capturing his piece of artil- lery and twenty men, and chasing the fugitives through Reynolds' Gap. Fleming had under him in the fight, according to his own official report, 120 men. Those who escaped from McNeil rode straight for New Creek. The affair occurred about six o'clock P. M., and by quarter past
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nine P. M. Colonel Latham, commanding at New Creek, twenty-one miles distant, had learned of Fleming's defeat. He at once telegraphed to General Kelly at Cumberland the result of the skirmish. The latter replied, "Put your post in the best possible position for defense, as it is probable that the Rebels will attack you." To this Colonel Latham responded, "I am prepared for them."
To explain the situation it is necessary to state that an- other scouting party of Federals, under Maj. P. J. Potts, had been sent from New Creek on the 26th of November. On the evening of the 27th, the same day of Rosser's arrival at Moorefield, it camped a few miles north of the town. The next morning Major Potts, learning of the near pres- ence of the Confederates, made off by a mountain path, and after wandering through the mountains, reached New Creek the day after its fall. It does not appear that Rosser was aware of the existence of this scouting party, but the sequel shows that its absence from New Creek had much to do with his successful surprise of the garrison.
The unlooked-for meeting with Fleming's detachment at Old Fields was discouraging. It was highly probable that before sunrise the enemy at New Creek would be informed of Rosser's arrival at Moorefield, and would make preparations to receive him. Instead, however, of chang- ing Rosser's plans, these unexpected events only made him act with more celerity. He determined to march at once against the enemy. Possibly he might reach New Creek before the fugitives ; at any rate he would go forward and see what fortune awaited him.
Moving his command from Moorefield after dark, he proceeded by way of the Alleghany and Moorefield turnpike
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to the head of Patterson's Creek. There he followed the road leading down the creek to the northwestern turnpike. When within a mile of Burlington, situated at the junction of the road upon which he was marching and the north- western turnpike, he turned to the left. He had now to fol- low, at times, little more than a bridle-path, which led up Mike's Run to a point on the northwestern turnpike five miles west of Burlington and near Harrison's Gap in the Knobley Mountain. Thus far he had missed all scouting parties, and was within six miles of New Creek station. Here the seriousness of Rosser's design was apparent to all. The men had been marching all night and were exhausted. The sun was just rising, gilding with its beams the lofty peaks of the Alleghanies. The column was still in the woods; in sight was the turnpike along which at any moment a Federal scouting party might pass.
A council of war was held. The question was, Had not some of Colonel Fleming's fugitives already reached New Creek and put the Federals on their guard? Such was the opinion of not a few, and Rosser was urged to go back. Captain Pearce, the scout, reasoned that, without doubt some of the escaped Federals had given warning of Ros- ser's being in the neighborhood, but that information, in his opinion, would only make the Federals more careless, for they would think Rosser would not dare to approach the fort, knowing as he must, that they were informed of his being near at hand. This view struck Rosser as a sen- sible one, and offering as it did a fighting chance of captur- ing a famous stronghold, quickly obtained his approval.
Genl. W. HI. Payne, the second in command, always ready to adopt a bold line of action, was of the same opinion. The
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result of the short talk was, that the column very soon moved forward across the turnpike towards New Creek, taking a near cut to the New Creek turnpike.
General Payne with his brigade, consisting of the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth regiments of Virginia cavalry, took the front, the Sixth Regiment being in the lead. The Eleventh Regiment, under Maj. E. H. McDonald, was sent by another road leading down Limestone Branch, and ap- proaching the station from the east. Traveling down it Major McDonald was to strike the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad a half mile east of the station, and after cutting the telegraph wire, advance and unite with the main body in the attack on the forts.'
The main body had gone but a short distance, when an accident suggested the means of success. From a conver- sation with a wayside resident, it was discovered that a body of Federal horse had left New Creek on a reconnois- sance, and that their return was hourly expected. It was resolved to make the most of this discovery. In order to mask his approach and deceive the Federal pickets, General Payne put twenty men in blue overcoats in advance under Captain Fitzhugh. They were instructed to go at a walk and, when in sight of the enemy's pickets, to approach them quietly after the manner of friends. These orders were executed with great coolness and admirable judgment by Captain Fitzhugh.
In a short time the New Creek turnpike was reached at a point about four miles from the station. Thence the road led along the bank of the creek, which with very slight meanderings washes the western base of Abraham's Ridge. The road was almost a dead level and nearly straight. On
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the right, the woody banks of the stream served partly to conceal the column; but it was the blue overcoats of the men in front, and the shrewdness of Captain Fitzhugh, that served most to disarm and assure the success of the movement.
The Union people, living near the line of march, came out of their houses to watch the column pass, supposing from the uniform of the advance that it was a body of Federal soldiers, and when the appearance of the main body in grey revealed the truth, it was too late for any of them to get away and give the alarm. Citizens, riding or driving out, and even a small scouting party of Federal horsemen, met the vanguard in the road, and passing it with friendly salutations, rode into the grey column behind and were "taken care of."
The same gait of careless assurance, enabled Captain Fitzhugh to ride up to the Federal pickets and capture them without the firing of a gun or of making any loud demon- stration. When within a half mile of the town, it was necessary to lay aside the mask and make a dash at the enemy. A part of the command, with the Sixth in front, turned out of the turnpike to the left, and galloped up the hill upon the summit of which was the fort. Its big guns frowned savagely upon the grey horsemen, and though the gunners were away in the town, the sentinels standing by them being plainly seen gave the impression to many that the cannon were about to be fired. A minute's delay and all would have been lost. Steadily the column moved on, Payne and Rosser near the front. When close to the para- pet, the Federal sentinels presented arms in token of sur- render, and Payne, taking off his hat, shouted, "Three
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cheers for the gallant Sixth!" This was given with a will, for already, in the plain below to the right of the garrison, the enemy was seen running in great confusion towards the Potomac.
When Payne with his column turned out of the road to assail the fort, Rosser ordered another part of his command to move quickly down the road and take Church Hill, upon which was posted Mulligan's Battery of field pieces. For- tunately, a projecting bluff concealed them from observa- tion until within a short distance of the station. Rounding the bluff, the Fifth suddenly appeared, and turning to the left charged up Church Hill, upon the top of which was the Federal battery. Here there was a momentary show of re- sistance. Some of the gunners had made out to load one piece. As the cavalry approached at a gallop the artillery- men fled, but a Federal lieutenant bravely seized the lan- yard, and was about to fire, when Maj. James Breathed, of Stuart's horse artillery, cut him down with his sabre. The whole assault had been so sudden and unexpected that the garrison, though numbering more than 1,000 men of all arms, made no effort to recover from the panic that had seized them, but fled en masse towards the river. Most of the fugitives were captured, but some succeeded in crossing the river, and from the other side opened fire upon their pursuers.
The number of prisoners taken was about 800, and about 400 horses. A great quantity of forage, grain, and ordnance stores was burned. The guns on Fort Hill were spiked, and the four pieces of Mulligan's battery were carried off. The victory was almost a bloodless one.
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Rosser, not content with his rich capture, now sent Maj. E. H. McDonald with the Eleventh Regiment to Pied- mont to destroy the machine shops of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad located there.
The place is about five miles west of New Creek station, and at that time was guarded by a small force of infantry. The road leading to it from New Creek followed the course of the railroad, and near the edge of the town passed through the mountain gorge made by the North Branch of the Potomac.
With a river on one side and a rocky and steep mountain on the other, the pass is easy to defend against a superior force by a small and resolute body. The news of the taking of New Creek had already reached Piedmont, and when Major McDonald got near the town, he found Federal infantry strongly posted in the gorge and ready to receive him.
Dismounting some of his men he engaged the enemy, and after a sharp fight, in which he lost two men killed and several wounded, he drove the enemy from cover, and pursued him with his mounted squadrons through the town to the Maryland side of the river.
Turning his attention now to the engines and shops, he burnt many of them, though his men were exposed to a galling fire from the Federals posted on the neighboring hills across the river.
After the work of destruction was finished, the Eleventh withdrew by a road through the mountains. They camped on the Alleghanies that evening, and learned in the morn- ing that the Federal scouting party under command of Major Potts had passed near them during the night.
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Rosser, after sending on in advance his prisoners, and many of the captured stores in wagons, without much tar- rying turned his face homeward. Feeling sure that an effort would be made to intercept him on his return, he sent one regiment forward to hold the narrow pass between Petersburg and Moorefield, and went back by way of Petersburg, and not by Moorefield, as he had come. The regiment sent on to seize the pass between Petersburg and Moorefield, got there before the pursuing column of Fed- erals, and Rosser was thus enabled to move on with his captures at a more leisurely gait, and free from molesta- tion. His foraging parties had with great activity taken advantage of the march upon New Creek to gather up cat- tle and sheep, and Rosser went homeward taking with him a goodly quantity of these, to the relief and joy of Early's army in the Valley. While the capture of New Creek with its strong garrison was a ray of sunshine mid the gen- eral gloom caused by Early's repeated disasters, yet the tidings of victory were not received with near as much pleasure as was the arrival of the flocks and herds.
Upon their return the Laurels went into camp near Tim- berville, and for a few days enjoyed a rest much needed, with the exception of the necessary picket duty.
Very soon forage was not to be had. The cattle and sheep brought by the raiders supplied for a short time the wants of the men, but grain and long food had disappeared almost as completely as the pastures which the hard frosts had killed. Some of the horses died in camp from the effect of starvation.1
"Sherrard's Diary.
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Rosser, after sending on in advance his prisoners, and many of the captured stores in wagons, without much tar- rying turned his face homeward. Feeling sure that an effort would be made to intercept him on his return, he sent one regiment forward to hold the narrow pass between Petersburg and Moorefield, and went back by way of Petersburg, and not by Moorefield, as he had come. The regiment sent on to seize the pass between Petersburg and Moorefield, got there before the pursuing column of Fed- erals, and Rosser was thus enabled to move on with his captures at a more leisurely gait, and free from molesta- tion. His foraging parties had with great activity taken advantage of the march upon New Creek to gather up cat- tle and sheep, and Rosser went homeward taking with him a goodly quantity of these, to the relief and joy of Early's army in the Valley. While the capture of New Creek with its strong garrison was a ray of sunshine mid the gen- eral gloom caused by Early's repeated disasters, yet the tidings of victory were not received with near as much pleasure as was the arrival of the flocks and herds.
Upon their return the Laurels went into camp near Tim- berville, and for a few days enjoyed a rest much needed, with the exception of the necessary picket duty.
Very soon forage was not to be had. The cattle and sheep brought by the raiders supplied for a short time the wants of the men, but grain and long food had disappeared almost as completely as the pastures which the hard frosts had killed. Some of the horses died in camp from the effect of starvation.1
'Sherrard's Diary.
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On the 16th of December Early broke camp at New Mar- ket and moved back to the vicinity of Staunton, so as to be near the Virginia Central Railroad.
Rosser's brigade moved to the neighborhood of Swopes Depot, seven miles west of Staunton, some of the compa- nies being left on picket in front of New Market. There seemed to be now some prospect of relief, from hard serv- ice at least, though little from the miseries of want, cold and lack of warm clothing. The winter was severe, and to survive its rigors without sufficient clothing and food was an undertaking of some magnitude. Still the charms of repose were sweetened by thoughts of the recent victory, and the situation was not altogether without crumbs of comfort.
But hope and fortitude would not feed and clothe the men, nor keep alive the horses, upon which the usefulness of cavalry so much depends. Day by day the brigade was diminishing in numbers. Many went home, by permission, after fresh horses; many took "French leave," not as de- serters, but for temporary absence without furlough. The remnant consoled themselves with the expectation of a short season of rest from their labors. It was soon discovered that Sheridan's 8,000 horsemen, splendidly equipped and armed, would give them little rest.
On the 19th of December Custer's division, 3,000 strong, advanced from Winchester towards Staunton. Sheridan, spurred on by Grant, was making a grand raid on the Vir- ginia Central Railroad. The main body, consisting of Mer- ritt's and Powell's divisions, crossed the Blue Ridge at Chester's Gap and marched towards Charlottesville. Cus-
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ter's part of the movement was to go to Staunton and occupy the attention of Early.
On the 20th Early, learning through his signal corps of the Federal advance, with his usual pluck did what he could with the means at his command to foil the enemy.
In the midst of a hailstorm he moved Wharton's division towards Harrisonburg, and Rosser was ordered to the front with all the cavalry he could collect. Taking what could be mounted of his own and Payne's brigades, Rosser pushed forward through mud and rain and about ten o'clock P. M. went into camp below Harrisonburg.
There was nothing at all for the horses. Even the rations of straw obtainable at Swopes Depot could not be gotten.
After a halt of three hours the bugle called to saddle. Roused up at one o'clock the weary troopers mounted their jaded, half-starved horses and, forming column, moved out to seek the enemy.
Custer had gone into camp near Lacey's Springs, and if he remained undisturbed until daylight, his large and well- mounted division seemed likely to prove more than a match for Rosser's small force. There was nothing to do but to have it out before morning, and Rosser, ever anxious to meet Custer, started on a second expedition to surprise his camp.
The road, muddy from recent rains, was rendered more so by additional showers; a cold wind blew and the rain froze as it fell. The hats and clothes of the troopers soon became stiff with ice; while the horses were enveloped in frosty garments; the small icicles hanging from their bodies rattling as they staggered along. The road soon
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became icy smooth, and the horses not being rough shod, traveled with much difficulty.
Following the Middle Road the column struggled on. At Krotzer's Spring it turned to the right towards Lacey Spring.2
When near Custer's camp Rosser and Payne rode for- ward to reconnoiter. They speedily came in view of the enemy's campfires which, stretching away to a considerable distance, showed that it was impossible with the small force of Confederates present to surprise more than a part of the Federal force. There was, however, no other alternative but to try the chance of battle. Upon returning to the col- umn they found the troops shivering with the cold, but ready to do their best. "Plans were hastily made, and with- out a yell or the sound of a bugle we swept down upon the half-sleeping foe like an avalanche.""
The camps first assailed were soon alive with fugitive Federals, but the report of the small arms roused the more distant sleepers, who hastily mounted and formed column.
A short and sharp fight now occurred, in which the- enemy, being worsted, slowly withdrew down the Valley. Rosser, after pursuing a short distance, turned his face homeward, rightly thinking it no small victory to have forced into retreat a body of Federal horse outnumbering his own nearly five to one.
Custer had started to go to Staunton, but had failed to get within forty miles of it. Upon learning of Custer's discomfiture, Early moved Wharton's division back to Staunton. On the 23rd of December a portion of it was
2From Joseph Sherrard's Diary.
3Account by General Rosser.
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sent by rail to Charlottesville. The same day Rosser was ordered to the same point. An all-night march through Rock Fish Gap brought him in its vicinity. Here he learned that the Federals had gone back, and after a day's halt the column moved for their old camp at Swopes Depot, where they arrived on the 26th of December.
Shortly after Christmas winter set in cold and stormy. The great activity, necessitated by the aggressiveness of an overwhelming, mounted Federal force, had more and more thinned the ranks of the cavalry.
There was hardly enough of forage to keep the horses from starving, while the men were in miserable quarters and on short rations. Many whole companies were per- mitted to go home and recruit.
On the 3rd of January the First Squadron of the Elev- enth Regiment went off on leave to McDowell, the Second Squadron to Lost River. White's Battalion had already gone, January Ist, to their native counties east of the Blue Ridge. Similar leaves were granted to many of the Seventh and Twelfth regiments. So that, by the middle of January, there was but a portion of the brigade left at Swopes Depot, and this was suffering greatly for the means of subsistence. Rosser, who was still in command of Fitz Lee's division, began to cast about for some sort of relief. The country around him was almost famine-stricken. The people had been drained of their substance to support the soldiery. The Government could do little. It was straining every nerve to maintain Lee's veterans who, in spite of cold, hunger, and constant assaults of Grant's multitudes, formed a wall of defense for the Confederate Capital.
4
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It was impossible to submit quietly to an environment that threatened to disband his command. As no help was to be expected from others, Rosser must strike a blow for himself. There was much to discourage any thought of campaigning in such a winter. His men were few, half- clothed and badly mounted; besides despondency was in the air.
It was plain, indeed, to the thoughtful that the sun of the Confederacy was near its setting, but to the brave hearts that defied fortune, it seemed only under a passing cloud. At the opening of spring, they thought, the gloom would vanish and victory once more perch upon the banner of I.ee.
If the darkening prospect led many to despond and to falter in devotion to the cause of their adoption, in the more dauntless spirits it only awakened heroic constancy, and spurred them on to more daring achievements.
While seeking an opportunity to damage the enemy and help himself, Rosser through his scouts learned that at Bev- erly, a distant point west of the Alleghanies, was stored .a large quantity of army supplies, and that the Federal garri- son there did not exceed 1,000 men. Here was a chance to do something which might bring relief for a time, and for the want of a better opportunity Rosser began to think how he might capture the place.
Beverly is distant from Staunton, as the crow flies, about seventy-five miles. But the road traverses the steep ranges and winds through the gorges of the Alleghanies. For some distance it led through what was then a war-swept region, that could furnish little means of subsistence to either man or horse, and most of the way over almost im-
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passable roads and across fierce mountain streams. It was blocked up, too, by the snows which for weeks had been falling, and in the gorges drifted to a depth of twenty-five feet. The people who lived along or near the road were as fierce and intractable as the rugged steeps among which they dwelt, and were, moreover, bitterly hostile to the Con- federacy.
A sober estimate of the difficulties to be overcome did not furnish much reasonable hope for success, but necessity could not listen to judgment, and despair lent courage to hope.
Having gotten the consent of Genl. Fitzhugh Lee, who in Early's absence was in command of the Valley forces, Ros- ser took steps to prepare for the raid on Beverly. As the work to be done would make great demands upon the pluck and fortitude of those engaged in it, he deemed it wise to enroll for the expedition none but volunteers. A call for these discovered that more men were willing to go than there were horses fit for duty. Some wished to march afoot, but this was not permitted.
After some necessary delay a force of 300 men was gath- ered from the three brigades of Payne, Munford, and Ros- ser. These were divided into two detachments of 150 men each, commanded respectively by Colonel Cook of the Eighth Virginia Cavalry, and Colonel Morgan of the First Virginia Cavalry, of whom says Rosser, speaking of this diminutive force, "I can safely say that a more intelligent, more gallant, and more reliable 300 than composed my little army of invasion was never assembled in one command."
With the small force thus made up, a sort of forlorn hope, Rosser started for Beverly. The march was without
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